Third quarter 2018 financial highlights include the following (all comparisons are with the third quarter of 2017):

Net revenue was $27.4 million, an increase of 12.3% from $24.4 million

Operating loss was $1.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $1.3 million

Net loss was $2.0 million, a decrease of 4.8% from $2.1 million

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $1.0 million compared to $1.3 million

Cash and equivalents were $1.7 million as of September 30, 2018

''Q3 represents our fourth consecutive quarter of sequential revenue growth and improved operating results, after excluding a one-time non-cash impairment, from prior year, demonstrating continued progress toward our goal of sustained growth and profitability. We continue to see significant returns from our investments with our trade partners and online marketing platforms,'' said Ryan Drexler, Chairman, CEO and President of MusclePharm.

''In addition to previously reported customer wins, I am proud to highlight that we have expanded our assortment in Walgreens and upgraded our offerings at Costco,'' he added.

''We are also very pleased to announce expanded distribution of our natural series of products with Whole Foods Market, where we expect to launch in store in early 2019.''

Third Quarter Financial Results

Net revenue for the third quarter of 2018 was $27.4 million, a 12.3% increase from $24.4 million for the third quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher domestic sales, driven by significant year over year growth from both Costco and iHerb.

Gross margin for the third quarter of 2018 was 32%, down from 33% for the third quarter of 2017. Gross margin was marginally impacted during the quarter due to a large promotional event with Costco during the quarter, offset by improved per unit pricing and lower whey protein costs.

Advertising and promotion expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $3.6 million, compared with $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2017, with the increase primarily related to costs associated with in-store support and advertising initiatives with key partners as we continue to invest in the relationships with our largest customers. Salaries and benefits expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $1.9 million, down 29.7% from $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2017, with the decrease due primarily to lower stock-based compensation expense and a reduction in headcount. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $3.0 million, down 14% from $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2017, with the decrease related to lower office, depreciation and amortization, board of directors and information technology expenses. Research and development expenses were $185,000 and $199,000 for the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Professional fees for the third quarter of 2018 were $0.4 million down from $1.0 million for the prior-year period, due mainly to lower legal fees.

In the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $0.7 million impairment on assets related to the subleasing of the Company's former headquarters. Interest and other expense, net, for the third quarter of 2018 was $1.0 million, compared with $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2017, with the increase primarily due to interest-related expenses and the amortization of related-party debt discount.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $2.0 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.15 per share, for the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, with the improvement primarily related to improved operating results. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is provided below.

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $81.0 million, a 5.8% increase from $76.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Gross margin for the first nine months of 2018 was 31%, an improvement from 29% for the first nine months of 2017.

Advertising and promotion expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $12.2 million, compared with $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Salaries and benefits expenses for the first nine months of 2018 were $6.3 million, compared with $8.5 million for the first nine months of 2017. SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $8.2 million, compared with $9.2 million for the first nine months of 2017. R&D expenses were $605,000 for the first nine months of 2018, compared with $488,000 for the first nine months of 2017. Professional fees were $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $2.6 million for the first nine months of 2017.

The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $5.4 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with a net loss of $8.4 million, or $0.61 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2018 were $1.7 million compared with $6.2 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company had a source of cash of $2.0 million from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an improvement from $2.3 million of cash used during the first nine months of 2017.

All results summarized in this press release (including in the financial statement tables) should be considered preliminary, are qualified in their entirety by the financial statement tables included in this press release and are subject to change. Please refer to MusclePharm's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018, which will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 14, 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA, including certain one-time adjustments, is a non-GAAP measure that excludes stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, depreciation and amortization, as well as other items defined in the reconciliation table included in the press release. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a primary metric to track company performance as it excludes one-time and non-recurring items, and reflects the state of the underlying business.

Conference Call and Webcast

MusclePharm will hold a conference call and webcast today, Tuesday, November 13, 2018, as follows:

A live webcast will be available online at http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/40914 and archived for 90 days. An audio replay of the conference call will be available for 14 days beginning approximately two hours after the completion of the call by dialing 877-481-4010 for domestic callers and 919-882-2331 for international callers and use passcode 40914.

About MusclePharm Corporation

MusclePharm® develops, manufactures, markets and distributes branded nutritional supplements. Its portfolio of recognized brands includes MusclePharm® Sport Series, Essential Series and FitMiss™, as well as Natural Series, which was launched in 2017. These products are available in more than 100 countries worldwide. MusclePharm is an innovator in the sports nutrition industry with clinically proven supplements that are developed through a six-stage research process utilizing the expertise of leading nutritional scientists, physicians and universities. For more information, visit www.musclepharmcorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not a description of historical facts constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "potential,'' "possible," "probable,'' "believes," "seeks," "may,'' "will,'' "should," "could" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted by the Company to the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,556 and $1,363, respectively

16,235

16,668

Inventory

7,324

6,484

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

1,120

1,082

Total current assets

26,428

30,462

Property and equipment, net

576

1,822

Intangible assets, net

1,077

1,317

Other
assets

267

225

TOTAL
ASSETS

$

28,348

$

33,826

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

20,672

$

11,742

Accrued liabilities

5,238

7,761

Accrued restructuring charges, current

463

595

Obligation under secured borrowing arrangement

594

5,385

Line
of credit

1,500

3,000

Total current liabilities

28,467

28,483

Convertible note with a related party, net of discount

17,226

16,669

Accrued restructuring charges, long-term

58

120

Other
long-term liabilities

74

1,088

Total
liabilities

45,825

46,360

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' deficit:

Common stock, par value of $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized 16,190,288 and 15,526,175 shares issued as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively; 15,314,667 and 14,650,554 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), this press release discloses Adjusted EBITDA, which is net loss adjusted for stock-based compensation, restructuring and asset impairment charges, gain/(loss) on settlement of accounts payable, amortization of prepaid sponsorship fees, other expense, net, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, (recovery)/provision for doubtful accounts, settlement related, including legal and income taxes. In addition, the Company provides an Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events that excludes charges related to executive severance, discontinued business/product lines, unusual credits against revenue and unusual spikes in whey protein costs. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with important additional perspectives into our ongoing business performance.

The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net loss. The non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events should not be considered as an alternative to net loss. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events are not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP and have important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events exclude some, but not all, items that affect net loss and are defined differently by different companies, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.